Fisher
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Fisher reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Fisher's population, as of Aug 2025, is approximately 3,317 people. This figure represents an increase of 98 individuals since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 3,219 people. The growth was inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 3,310 in June 2024 and the addition of 11 validated new addresses post-Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,099 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Fisher's growth rate of 3.0% since the 2021 Census surpassed the SA3 area's growth rate of 0.5%, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 70.2% to overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data and years post-2032, age group growth rates from ACT Government's SA2 area projections are used, maintaining 2022 as the base year. Looking ahead, national areas' lower quartile growth is anticipated, with Fisher's population projected to increase by 2 persons by 2041 based on recent numbers. This would result in a decrease of 0.1% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Fisher according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Fisher records approximately nine residential properties granted approval annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces development approval data on a financial year basis, indicating 45 dwellings approved over the past five financial years, from FY20 to FY25, with none yet recorded in FY26. Each home built averages 7.1 new residents yearly during these five years, demonstrating demand significantly outstripping supply, which typically exerts upward pressure on prices and intensifies competition among buyers.

New properties are constructed at an average value of $303,000. Compared to the Australian Capital Territory, Fisher has around three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person, placing it in the 17th percentile nationally, offering limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing properties. This is below the national average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity comprises 60.0% detached houses and 40.0% townhouses or apartments, expanding medium-density options and creating diverse price bracket opportunities from traditional family housing to compact alternatives. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition of 83.0% houses, suggesting decreasing developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles' needs for more affordable, diverse housing options.

With around 1929 people per approval, Fisher indicates a mature, established area. Given stable or declining population forecasts, Fisher may experience less housing pressure, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Fisher has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally

No projects have been identified by AreaSearch as likely to impact the area's performance. Key projects include Athllon Drive Duplication, The Hunter, Canberra Hospital Master Plan, and The Centenary Hospital for Women and Children Expansion Project.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Fisher has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Fisher's workforce comprises highly educated residents. Key sectors include public administration & safety, healthcare & social assistance, and education & training.

As of June 2025, the unemployment rate was 3.8%. Employment grew by 1.5% over the past year. There are 1,708 residents in work.

The unemployment rate is 0.4% higher than the Australian Capital Territory's rate of 3.4%, with workforce participation at 64.3%, compared to ACT's 69.6%. Retail trade has limited presence, with 4.9% employment compared to the regional average of 6.6%. Employment opportunities appear limited locally, as indicated by Census data comparing working population and resident population. Over a 12-month period, employment increased by 1.5%, while labour force grew by 1.6%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, ACT saw employment grow by 1.9% and unemployment fall by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data as of Sep-25 shows ACT employment contracted by 0.33% (losing 1,480 jobs), with the state unemployment rate at 4.2%, comparing favourably to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Fisher's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.5% over five years and 13.4% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode-level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows Fisher had a median taxpayer income of $68,261 and an average income of $81,206. These are among the highest in Australia, compared to $68,678 and $83,634 respectively across Australian Capital Territory. As of March 2025, estimates suggest median income is approximately $75,620 and average income is around $89,960, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.78% since financial year 2022. Fisher's household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 82nd and 91st percentiles. Income brackets indicate 25.9% of residents (859 individuals) earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to surrounding regions where 34.3% fall into this bracket. Notably, 39.1% earn above $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 86.8% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power. Fisher's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Fisher is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Fisher, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 82.8% houses and 17.2% other dwellings. In comparison, Australian Capital Territory had 81.7% houses and 18.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fisher was 39.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.0% and rented dwellings at 20.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Fisher was $2,354, higher than the Australian Capital Territory average of $2,251. Median weekly rent in Fisher was $415, compared to $420 in Australian Capital Territory. Nationally, Fisher's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,354 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Fisher has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 70.5% of all households, including 34.4% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 9.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 29.5%, with lone person households at 27.6% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Australian Capital Territory average of 2.6.

Fisher shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

In Fisher, 43.3% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 25.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.3%) and graduate diplomas (5.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 27.0% of residents holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (14.8%). Educational participation is high, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 11.4% in primary education, 8.5% in secondary education, and 4.5% pursuing tertiary education. Educational facilities seem to be located outside Fisher's immediate boundaries, requiring families to access schools in neighboring areas.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Analysis of public transport in Fisher shows 16 active stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with 4 individual routes providing service. Together, these routes facilitate 685 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 196 meters from their nearest stop. Service frequency averages 97 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 42 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Fisher is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Fisher faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups, but notably higher among older cohorts. Approximately 61% of Fisher's total population (2,016 people) have private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 9.0% and 8.5% of residents respectively. 67.5% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than the Australian Capital Territory's 66.3%. Fisher has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (19.0%, or 631 people) compared to the Australian Capital Territory's 20.6%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to presenting challenges.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Fisher was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Fisher's cultural diversity was above average, with 23.3% of its population born overseas and 16.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Fisher, comprising 45.1% of people. Hinduism was overrepresented, making up 2.8% compared to the regional average of 2.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (25.9%), Australian (24.9%), and Irish (9.8%). Notably, Hungarian (0.5%) French (0.8%) and Croatian (1.0%) ethnicities showed divergences from their respective regional percentages.

Fisher's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Fisher is notably higher than that of Australian Capital Territory at 35 years and also modestly exceeds the national median of 38 years. Compared to Australian Capital Territory, Fisher has a higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (8.9%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (11.2%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 grew from 9.4% to 10.7%, while the 75-84 cohort increased from 7.7% to 8.9%. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort declined from 8.9% to 7.2%. By the year 2041, Fisher's age composition is expected to shift significantly. The population aged 85 and above is projected to grow by 58%, reaching 149 people from 94. This growth is led by the demographic shift of those aged 65 and above, who will comprise 67% of the total projected growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 5-14 age cohorts.